Police in Hillcrest have arrested two suspects who masqueraded as police officers and attempted to rob a house owner of his firearm and other valuables at a residence on Mepho Road at KwaNgcolosi in Hillcrest on Friday afternoon, 12 May 2023.
Information at police’s disposal indicate that three people, two men and a woman, who was reportedly wearing a T-shirt with a police badge, budged into the house and introduced themselves as investigating officers from SAPS Hillcrest and that they were investigating a case of murder. They allegedly demanded to search the house and had seized the homeowner’s licensed firearm when his daughter detected suspicious behaviour from them and alerted community members who came to her father’s rescue, who was already handcuffed at the time.
As the bogus police officers failed to produce any form of identification, the matter was reported to the police who responded swiftly. Two men were arrested and police are still on the lookout for the female suspect who reportedly disappeared prior to police’s arrival at the scene. The suspects were found in possession of the victim’s firearm as well as another firearm whose serial number was filed off. A subsequent search on their vehicle led to the discovery of KwaZulu-Natal’s police vehicle registration plates , however, investigation proved that that the number on the registration plates belong to a police vehicle in SAPS Sunnyside in Pretoria, Gauteng province. Police’s Covid-19 masks were also found inside the vehicle.
Police are applauding community members who came together and prevented a crime from happening. Unity within communities and cooperation with police will go a long way in closing off the spaces for criminals to operate.
The suspects will appear in court on Monday, 15 May 2023, on charges of house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as impersonating police officers.
Source: South African Police Service